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Ice Cream / Candy / Sweets, Pennsylvania
John’s Water Ice – A Chilly Philly Treat since 1945
View more Show on mapNot being originally from the Philadelphia area, when I first heard of Water Ice my initial snarky reaction was, “well, what else would you make ice from?!” If you’re from Philly however, you’ll know that “wooder ice” is fruit and sugar added to that water, then frozen into a slush, an Italian inspired tradition. And you’ll also know [...]
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Mod Betty isn’t sending you into the Barclay Pharmacy to fill a prescription - unless you've been told to get a daily dose of the past. Once called “Philadelphia’s Most Beautiful Pharmacy” it has been in this historic (circa 1855) building since 1959 (earlier it was in the corner building just across the street, according to this 194 [...]
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Pennsylvania, Theaters
The Historic Theaters of Walnut Street – Philadelphia PA
View more Show on mapWalnut Street in Philadelphia has 2 historic theaters - one being tres decorative both inside and out, while the other is a National Historic Landmark worth checking off your list! The Forrest Theatre Built in 1927 the Forrest Theatre was named for named after Edwin Forrest, the famous 19th century actor. Located at 1114 Walnut, it is the only [...]
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Cafeteria, Ingredients - Food Not Ready To Eat, Pennsylvania
Reading Terminal Market – Philadelphia PA
View more Show on mapThough the Reading Terminal Market is in no way a “hidden” vintage place to visit in the city, it is a destination for history buffs and food lovers alike (aka Retro Roadmappers!) Also, its location within a few blocks of Macy’s (hello, Wanamaker Organ!) and McGillin’s makes it a perfect stop to round out a retro day in the center of Center [...]
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The Mahoning Drive In - Built in 1948 - 1 Screen - showing classic and horror movies on film! Read more about them on their Facebook Page! At The Drive-In Documentary More Details at Drive-Ins.com ! http://drive-ins.com/theater/patmaho/mahoning-drive-in-theater-lehighton-pa#.WqgUDpPwZQI [...]
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Fancy Restaurant, Pennsylvania, Steak Joint
Saloon Restaurant – Philadelphia’s Classic Steakhouse for 50+ Years!
View more Show on mapThough Saloon opened in 1967, you won’t find any "Summer of Love"-type decor in this South Philly restaurant. Instead you get that earlier era’s take on an even earlier era, with an eclectic interior made unique by the artful assemblage of one of the largest local collections of turn-of the-century signs on display in the city. Si [...]
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Bars and Cocktails, Pennsylvania
Oscar’s Tavern Philadelphia – 1972 Called and Says Dive On In!
View more Show on mapWhile some people may want to call Oscar’s Tavern a “dive bar” in a bad way, Mod Betty has been to many a dive, and this is one she doesn't mind recommending, if dive bars are your thing of course. I mean, how many dives have been written up in Bon Appetit magazine, like Oscar's has (even if it is occasionally cited for health code violat [...]
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Bakery, Pennsylvania
Haegele’s Bakery – Family Owned Philadelphia Sweet Spot Since 1930
View more Show on mapMod Betty has a sweet tooth and a sweet spot for vintage family owned bakeries, so it’s a bit of a super sugar rush to be able to share with you Haegele’s Bakery! Opened in 1930 by German immigrant August Haegele, this small corner shop has been in continuous operation (3rd generation, with a 4th helping out) by the Haegele family since [...]
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Bars and Cocktails, Pennsylvania
Mermaid Inn Philadelphia PA – Music and Merriment since 1734!
View more Show on mapSome places are known by word of mouth only, and Chestnut Hill’s Mermaid Inn is one of them. While it's practically CENTURIES older than her typical Retro Roadmap 1920s-1960s sweet spot, Mod Betty is charmed by the historic yet welcoming atmosphere of this cozy spot, so she’s gettin' the word out. Though it was established as a stagecoac [...]
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Ingredients - Food Not Ready To Eat, Pennsylvania, Sub Shop / Sandwiches
Lucio J Mancuso & Son Cheese and Italian Shop – Since 1940!
View more Show on mapA throwback to the tiny shops that used to line East Passyunk when people did more cooking than dining out, Mancuso & Son was opened in 1940 by Lucio J. Mancuso, and today stands as a reminder of what the neighborhood was like before it got hip. This sliver of a shop tucked under the plastic awning is under the direction of Lucio’s son Phil, [...]
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Bar Restaurant, Pennsylvania
Cherry Street Tavern Philadelphia PA – A Neighborhood Local For Over 100 Years
View more Show on mapWhile some people may call any local bar a “corner bar” - the Cherry Street Tavern is the real deal, located on the corner of Cherry Street and North 22nd Street since 1905. Mod Betty and Retro Roadhusband made this their go-to en route home from Secret Cinema movies, and we make an excuse to go back there any time we can. We totally groove on [...]
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Hardware Store, Pennsylvania
Kilian Hardware – The City’s Oldest Hardware Store – Chestnut Hill, PA
View more Show on mapLocated on a busy corner along Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill, Kilian’s is considered to be Philadelphia's oldest hardware store, opened in 1913. William Kilian and his wife Minnie (Goudy) Kilian, were motivated to open the store after hearing the famous Acres of Diamonds speech given by minister (and founder of Temple University) Rus [...]
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Bar Restaurant, Pennsylvania
Sassafras Philadelphia – Charming Historic Bar / Restaurant in Old City
View more Show on mapWith so many generic bars and restaurants cluttering busy 2nd Street in Old City Philadelphia, slipping into Sassafras is a bit like sliding through a portal and transporting yourself back a few decades. Which is one of the things Mod Betty love so much about this place! Its official origins are a bit murky, but with its close proximity to t [...]
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Diners, Pennsylvania
Trolley Car Diner – The Vintage Diner with a Modern Heart
View more Show on mapThe Trolley Car diner feels like a vintage diner that has been here forever, but it has only been nestled in the crook of Germantown Avenue since 1999. Owner Ken Weinstein and his partners had a 1951 Mountain View diner (originally from Wilkes Barre, PA) moved to this location, and a few years later added an actual 1948 trolley car to the pa [...]
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Diners, Pennsylvania
Bob’s Diner – Roxborough PA – A Neighborhood Tradition since 1947!
View more Show on mapBob’s Diner Roxborough is one of the few diners in the Philadelphia area that makes Mod Betty’s go-to list, with its winning combo of authentic vintage charm and tasty eats. Bob’s exterior retains the red bands amidst the silver, and clock above the vestibule. A later addition - though still vintage - of metal scalloped awning helps cu [...]
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Ice Cream / Candy / Sweets, Pennsylvania
John Lerro Candy – 100 Year Family Tradition in Philadelphia
View more Show on mapThough anyone can grab a generic box of candy at a drugstore, nothing says "I Care" like getting a sweet treat for a special occasion (or any occasion at all) at a 4th-generation candy store like Lerro’s Candy on South Broad Street in Philadelphia. The diminutive shop opened over 100 years ago as a candy and ice cream shop, with everything [...]
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Ingredients - Food Not Ready To Eat, Pennsylvania
Fiorella Sausage Philadelphia – Since 1892 – “You never saw such a place!”
View more Show on map2018 UPDATE: January - according to the Facebook Page of Fiorella's Sausage, Fiorella's is temporarily closed until further notice. Sadly we think there was a death in the family, so our hearts go out to them. I'll keep you Retro Roadmap Readers posted when (not if) they reopen. Original 2017 Post: Hidden in plain sight on Christian S [...]
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Notable Buildings, Pennsylvania
Chestnut Street Philadelphia – Walking and Gawking!
View more Show on mapRetro Roadmappers, you know that Mod Betty would never send you into a chain store to purchase something (horrors!) but there’s nothing that says you can’t just go in there to look around and see the architectural remainders and reminders of what used to be there, is there? Especially when it could've been demolished completely, which is so oft [...]
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Ingredients - Food Not Ready To Eat, Pennsylvania
Dad’s Stuffings Philadelphia – Family Owned Since 1923!
View more Show on mapHow lucky was Mod Betty when she popped into Dad's (All Natural) Stuffings on Ritner Street? Very lucky! Not only did she pick up some of their famous chicken meatballs for Retro Roadhusband - and some chicken soup for her sick self - she also had a delightful chat with Richard (Rich) Commoroto about this family owned shop. Rich's maternal [...]
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While you may not need a prescription filled if you're just visiting Philly, don't let that deter you from taking the short 10 minute walk from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to Ellis Pharmacy. It is the perfect Retro Roadmap-worthy place in the neighborhood to get a water or soda, snack, pain reliever, lip balm or whatever you may need to set yo [...]
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Pennsylvania, Pizza & Italian
Villa di Roma – Retro Roadmap worthy Red Sauce Restaurant!
View more Show on mapMod Betty suggests that everyone experience South Philly's 9th Street Italian Market, but sometimes the overwhelming choices, sights, smells and sounds can be a bit much for her, reminding her why agoraphobia means "fear of the marketplace." So during a recent jaunt into the city she was thrilled to be able to slip into Villa di Roma for a quiet an [...]
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Old Fashioned Shopping, Pennsylvania
90 Year Old Typewriter Repairman! Robert E De Barth, Lansdale PA [ Video ]
View more Show on mapWow, was my day ever made when we pulled on the door at De Barth Typewriter Repairs and it was open! Robert does most of his repairwork for people who send their typewriters to him, so he keeps the lights off in the front mostly. Here's a quick video I did with my phone (apologies/quality/my big face) to give you a peek inside. I hope to return [...]
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Pennsylvania, Pizza & Italian
The Victor Cafe – Philadelphia’s Music Lovers’ Rendezvous since 1918
View more Show on mapTucked away on a side street in South Philly, The Victor Cafe is a Mod Betty fave destination for special occasions (like our wedding anniversary ;-)) or just a forever-memorable night on the town. On this location in 1918 John DiStefano opened a gramophone shop selling the players and records. It was here, in the decades before everyone had [...]
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Notable Buildings, Pennsylvania
Frank Lloyd Wright Landmark Tucked into the Philly Suburbs – A Mid-Century Masterpiece!
View more Show on mapWhile there are many mid-century modern houses of worship that may have Mod Betty do a double-take when driving by, nothing makes her slam the brakes on like the sight of the Beth Sholom Synagogue in Elkins Park. In addition to being one of the most unusual edifices in the Philadelphia area, it is the only synagogue designed by the famous [...]
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Ice Cream / Candy / Sweets, Pennsylvania
Stutz Candy Shop – Right at the Factory! Hatboro PA
View more Show on mapWhen you’re in Hatboro visiting Daddypop’s Diner, Burdick’s News Agency or snapping a photo of the zigzag roofline at Nu-Life Cleaners if the sweet tooth strikes, then Stutz Candy Company is just around the corner. Why sure, you could just pick up a national-brand candy bar anyplace, but the fun thing about visiting this Stutz Candy lo [...]
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Bakery, Pennsylvania
Danish Bakers Bakery – Family-Owned Sweet Spot Since 1960!
View more Show on mapIf every neighborhood had a local bakery as good as Danish Bakers in Rockledge, PA we’d all be a lot happier...and heavier! Founded in 1960 by Ray McCrimmon Senior, it is still run by two generations of the McCrimmon family, as well as a friendly crew of counter help and behind the scenes bakers. Ray’s tenure as a baker at Ed Zaberer’s on [...]
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Ice Cream / Candy / Sweets, Pennsylvania
Bergin’s Chocolates – Family Run Since 1935! Lansdale PA
View more Show on mapI’d’ve been caught by the witch like Hansel and Gretel since I eagerly pulled my car into what looked like someone’s home driveway, simply because there was a sign out front indicating chocolate ahead! But lucky for all of us, instead I found the nice folks Bergin’s Chocolates candy shop. This family run business started in the kitc [...]
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Ice Skating, Pennsylvania
The Oldest Figure Skating Club in the US is in Ardmore, PA – Cool!
View more Show on mapHere’s a cool vintage place - and it’s literally cool: Tucked into a residential section of Ardmore PA is the nation’s oldest and largest figure skating club, the Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society. This club was founded in 1861, formed by combining two existing clubs from even earlier: The Skaters Club of the City and Co [...]
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Pennsylvania, Theaters
Sellersville Theater – Sellersville PA’s Live Music Spot!
View more Show on mapThe Sellersville Theater hasn’t been a theater since 1894, but for the past 15 years it has drawn folks to town for live music events, and was the local movie house for decades before that. Today folks come from miles around to hear Americana, Jazz, Rock and Jam Bands, Blues, R&B and more. Mod Betty has seen plenty of great shows here, and Re [...]
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Every time I drive down Old York Road in Abington, PA I’m cheered by the sight of the unique and distinctive sign for Abington Pharmacy. How could you not be? I mean - do you often see something like this on a busy commercial corridor? The only bummer is the missing swoop above right, that was lost in a storm. Here's what the sign looked lik [...]
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Deli, Lunch Counters / Luncheonettes, Pennsylvania
Costa Deli Ambler, PA – Family Owned Luncheonette Since 1950
View more Show on mapDiscovering Retro Roadmap-worthy places requires a sharp eye for detail and clues ala Nancy Drew (or Trixie Belden, if you want to get obscure!) So when Mod Betty spotted the vintage-looking Breyers Ice Cream sign with the phrase “Hand Dipped Bulk” while waiting at a busy light at Bethlehem and Butler Pikes in Ambler, PA she thought Costa D [...]
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Bar Restaurant, Historic Hotels, Pennsylvania, Theaters
Sellersville’s Historic Inn / Restaurant / Theater Combo!
View more Show on mapIn this otherwise sleepy area of Bucks County, the building on the corner of Main and Temple in Sellersville has drawn visitors since 1975 (now that's retro!) Today this corner is still sure to appeal to Retro Roadmappers looking for an entertaining evening or weekend getaway. The Washington House Restaurant The Washington House Restaurant [...]
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Daddypops Diner may be in Pennsylvania, but to Mod Betty it is like a visit back home to some of her favorite New England diners. Though built in New Jersey (it’s a Mountain View, built in Singac, NJ) its 1953 birth-year means it is a human-scale diner, seating about 60 max, not one of those huge Jersey diner/restaurants. And this size of din [...]
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Pennsylvania, Vintage Clothing, Vintage Collectibles, Vintage Furniture & Home, Vintage Shops
Lancaster PA Retro Roadtrip – Mod Betty & Doerthe Externest Photo Visit!
View more Show on mapWhen an awesome photographer pal asks if she can tag along on a Retro Roadtrip, where does Mod Betty take her for the most bang for their buck? Lancaster, PA! We could only visit a sliver of what Lancaster has to offer, but we ran the gamut from kitschy roadside attractions to hip and happening shopping spots. Maybe these photos from Doerthe Ex [...]
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Pennsylvania, Theaters
The Tower Theater – Philadelphia Rockin’ in Upper Darby
View more Show on mapMod Betty's first memorable introduction to the grandeur of vintage theater was when she visited Boston's Orpheum Theatre for a show back in 1982, so it seems only fitting that the Tower Theater has been able to remain open all these years through the power of rock and roll! Just across the street from the SEPTA 69th Street terminal in Upper D [...]
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Ice Cream / Candy / Sweets, Pennsylvania
Warner’s Candies – Sweet on Bensalem, PA since 1955!
View more Show on mapThis family-owned candy shop may be off the beaten path (or on a well-beaten path) but the house it is housed in has been here since the 1700s! The Warner family started their candy business in a bakery in nearby Bristol, PA and moved their sweets business into this antique home in 1955. They added onto it a bit to accommodate their expanding [...]
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Diners, Pennsylvania
Saville’s Diner, Boyertown PA – Don’t Judge A Book, This Place Is Great!
View more Show on mapMod Betty hangs her head in shame, in realizing a Beauty and the Beast moment recently. You see, she’s guilty of being a “Looks-ist”* dismissing Saville’s Diner as “not my kinda diner” when driving by the pebble-surfaced beige box of a restaurant just off 100 in Boyertown, PA. Boy was I wrong! She should’ve remembered the ol [...]
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Bakery, Pennsylvania, Regional Foods & Drinks
Ritner Street Roundup – Mod Betty’s Fave Eats!
View more Show on map2018 Update: Mod Betty can't stay away from that danged tomato pie at Cascia's, it's addictive. We have gone back to Dad's Stuffings to give a sneak peek in the inside, just click here to read the Dad's Stuffing post on Retro Roadmap. When visiting South Philly, a stop on Ritner Street means not only a visit to Ritner Hardware, but [...]
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Hardware Store, Pennsylvania
Ritner Hardware – South Philly Fixture Since 1946!
View more Show on mapMod B recently visited South Philly, and found a little neighborhood on Ritner Street a few blocks off of Broad Street that is an absolute treasure she's excited to share with you. First stop: Ritner Hardware - a "fixer-upper's fixture" for 70+ years! Opened originally by Tony and Anna Lauriello in 1946, since 1975 it has been in [...]
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Old Fashioned Shopping, Pennsylvania
Burdick’s Hatboro News Agency – and Soda Fountain!
View more Show on mapBurdick’s Hatboro News Agency in downtown Hatboro PA has something for everyone in the family - including a working soda fountain! The Burdick family has owned and operated this shop since 1950, though the building itself was built in the 1860s (originally the home of an aptly named local stonemason Daniel Stone, before that it was the H [...]
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Old Fashioned Shopping, Pennsylvania, Regional Foods & Drinks
Booths Corner Farmers Market – Fridays and Saturdays since 1930!
View more Show on mapMod Betty admits that this long beige building may not be much to look at from the outside, but on the inside the Booths Corner Farmers Market is bursting with a colorful collection of folks, food and fun. While the building has only been here since the 1970s, this traditional "only open on Fridays and Saturdays" market has been around since t [...]
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Located in the uppermost corner of Montgomery county (closer to Allentown than Philadelphia) the Grand Theater is a gem in the little borough of East Greenville PA, thanks to the vision of owner Ed Buchinski (and his business partner John Schortz.) Especially when you see the before pictures of the condition it was in when they purchased it, thi [...]
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Why is this cute corner bread bakery in South Philly called the New York Bakery? 2nd-generation owner Stephen Candeloro says it's a mystery, and if anyone should know it would be him. The bakery opened in 1926, his father owned it since the 1940s, and Stephen took over from him in 1987. But what isn't a mystery is why this bakery appeals to [...]
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Pennsylvania, Theaters
Hiway Theater – Jenkintown PA’s Suburban Screening Room!
View more Show on mapThe theater located at 212 York Road was built in 1913 and has had a number of name changes and incarnations in the over 100 years it has been livening up Jenkintown. First known as the Jenkintown Auditorium and later as The Embassy Theatre, York Road Theatre, the Chas III and The Merlin Theatre (You’ll spy a scrolled “M” for Merlin etched [...]
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Despite her self-proclaimed Diner Snobbery, Mod Betty has a soft spot for vintage diners with a rock and roll edge. Places where the “blue hair special” is more likely to be a mohawk than grandma’s coif, but both are welcome. That’s the kind of place Silk City is and a whole lot more. Since you’re a Retro Roadmapper you’ll know a [...]
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Walking past this staid brick structure on State Street in Newtown, PA you may think it is a church. Well, at one point it was one, for traveling ministers. Or perhaps you think it is a town hall? It was that too - built in 1831 as Newtown Hall, later reconfigured in the 1880s as a place where the townspeople would gather for meetings and [...]
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Pennsylvania, Theaters
Downtown Movies on The Main Line – Anthony Wayne Theater
View more Show on mapDowntown movie houses are a rarity these days and those who have hung onto some of their authentic vintage charm are even rarer. That is why the sight of the beautiful terracotta facade and rounded marquee of the Anthony Wayne Theater is guaranteed to put a smile on your face as you visit downtown Wayne, PA. (History note - both town and theatre a [...]
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Hardware Store, Pennsylvania
148 Years of Old Time Charm! Newtown Hardware House
View more Show on mapWhat is it about the creak of a wooden floor as soon as I set foot into a shop, that sends me back in time? Does this happen to you, too? If so, step foot into Newtown Hardware House in Newtown PA. Not only will you do a bit of time travel, but also come home with all sorts of modern things to keep your contemporary life well repaired. Locat [...]
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Pennsylvania, Theaters
Broadway Meets Bucks County in New Hope, PA’s Bucks County Playhouse
View more Show on mapLooking like a cheery barn on the banks of the Delaware river in New Hope PA, The Bucks County Playhouse is a reminder of that famous movie trope, “hey, let’s put on a show!” And since 1939 they have been doing just that - with legendary stars of stage and screen! The structure was built in 1790 as a grist mill, harnessing the water powe [...]
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Pennsylvania, Vintage Clothing
Vintage Fashion Thrives in Busy Downtown Location – Malena’s Boutique!
View more Show on mapFans of all things yesteryear know how much fun it can be to add a bit of throwback fashion flair into their everyday lives, from a simple brooch to an entire outfit. But bricks and mortar vintage clothes shops are becoming more and more rare these days (with so much selling going online), that when one has been thriving in a busy downtown loc [...]
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Breakfast, Lunch Counters / Luncheonettes, Pennsylvania
G Lodge – Valley Forge Log Cabin Inspired Luncheonette
View more Show on mapIf you’ve just visited Valley Forge National Park you may still be in the Colonial-era headspace, so why not continue in that vein by breakfast/lunching at the G Lodge? The inside of this unassuming roadside eatery (attached to an auto repair shop) echoes the log cabin structures of adjacent national park...just not as drafty. Originally o [...]
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Pennsylvania, Vintage Clothing, Vintage Shops
Lulu Boutique & Gifterie – From Vintage to Modern and More! Phoenixville PA
View more Show on mapWhile Lulu’s Boutique & Gifterie isn’t decades-old like many of the places Mod Betty loves, this little shop has done so much to put our town on the Vintage lovers map that it would be a sin not to share this little biz with you. Located on Main Street in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania you can’t miss their yarn-bombed tree and eye-catchi [...]
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Though only a mile outside of busy West Chester center, driving down the winding roads of the Brandywine Valley to get to Baldwin’s Book Barn is also like traveling back in time. Especially when you find yourself pulling up to a stone dairy barn built in 1822! William and Lilla Baldwin started their book selling business in 1934, moving it to [...]
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Bars and Cocktails, Lunch Counters / Luncheonettes, Pennsylvania
DeStarr’s Restaurant & Bar West Chester, PA – Since 1935!
View more Show on mapKeep your eyes peeled for the sign for DeStarr’s Restaurant and Bar on the 100 block of East Gay Street in West Chester or you may miss a "hidden in plain sight" Retro-Roadmap-worthy place in this hip and historic borough of brick. Started in 1935 by George DeStarr (the Americanization of his Greek name, thanks to Ellis island) as the Gay [...]
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Pennsylvania, Sub Shop / Sandwiches
The Hungry A – Burgerama! in Springfield PA
View more Show on mapMod Betty has a new fave sandwich, courtesy of a new Retro Roadmap-worthy spot - The Hungry A in Springfield, PA. Her leopardskin pillbox hat is tipped to fellow diner Bob, who recommended I change my original order. I did, and now I'm hooked! Even the name is awesome: Burgerama Instead of a standard cheeseburger (my original order) the [...]
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On a grey winter day, nothing beckons Mod B off the road than a big ol' neon sign pointing at a vintage diner. Who am I trying to kid? Even on a sunny warm day it would be a sin not to stop by the Miss Oxford Diner in Oxford Pennsylvania, as it is one of the few Retro Roadmap worthy places in southern Chester County, PA. A "Silk City" diner [...]
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Bakery, Pennsylvania
R. Weinrich German Bakery – A Newtown Square Sweet Spot Since 1961
View more Show on mapI didn't realize how rare it was to find a good old-fashioned bakery until I actually began looking for one. While independent bakeries are a rarity themselves, finding one that makes you feel like you've stepped back into your childhood is even more of a challenge. Until you step into R. Weinrich's German Bakery in Newtown Square, PA that is! [...]
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Heisey’s diner Lebanon PA was recommended to me by fellow diner pal Kyle Weaver. He’s one of the authors of the second edition of the book Diners of Pennsylvania , a valuable resource I rely on, so I knew he knew what he was talking about. Upon pulling into the parking lot I spied the vintage diner shining under a shingled roof, it’s b [...]
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Diners, Pennsylvania
Village Diner Milford PA – 10 Reasons to Visit Vintage Diner!
View more Show on mapOne of the most pristine and pleasant vintage diners we've ever visited is The Village Diner in Milford Pennsylvania. There are so many things to recommend this diner, I've created a list of 10 reasons you should go - now go visit! 1. IT'S AN AUTHENTIC VINTAGE DINER The diner was built by the Mountain View Diner company in 1956, and is so well k [...]
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Classic Restaurant, Pennsylvania, Vintage Signs
Blu Tavern Restaurant – Since 1946! Pottsville PA
View more Show on mapLocated on the outskirts of Pottsville PA on route 209 in Llewellyn you can't miss the Blu Tavern, because of this gorgeous sign and neon details. Continuously owned operated by the Massari family since 1946, it opened at this location in 1953, and we love that they've retained and maintained so many of their authentic vintage details! [...]
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Pennsylvania, Regional Foods & Drinks
Shuey’s Pretzels – Family Made Since 1927!
View more Show on mapShuey’s Pretzels is a family owned and run pretzel bakery in Lebanon PA. Open since 1927, the tiny shop has been nestled in a primarily residential area since 1941. I may not have ever discovered Shuey's if I had not gotten lost racing from Heisey’s Diner to the Salvation Army Thrift Store where I had dropped my wallet (long story, but I go [...]
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Ice Cream / Candy / Sweets, Pennsylvania, Regional Foods & Drinks
Opera Fudge? Wertz Candies in Lebanon PA is The Place!
View more Show on mapVintage candy store, family owned and operated for 85 years, and still retaining its vintage look and charm? Sounds Retro Roadmap-worthy in-and-of-itself. But when said candy store is also the epicenter for a delicacy loved for generations by people from Lebanon county but almost unheard of anywhere else? Jackpot! Wertz Candies i [...]
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January 2017 update - The Red Rose Diner Is For Sale-! I was just forwarded this link to a craigslist posting for the diner - will keep you posted! Mod Betty notes: I've been wanting to visit the Red Rose diner for a while now, but lucky for you Retro Roadmap readers, Joe and Anna Butrim beat me to it, and share their photos and exper [...]
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Pennsylvania, Pizza & Italian
Mom Chaffe’s Cellarette – Since 1936! West Reading PA
View more Show on mapRestaurant open since 1936 named after a Mom? - Check Cozy low ceilinged dining room called a...cellarette? ("Daintier than a cellar...it's a Cellar-ette!") Check (It's not really a cellar at all, 'cept it's in the ground floor of a house in residential West Reading, PA.) Great vintage angled sign that they took care to replace when [...]
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Ice Cream / Candy / Sweets, Lunch Counters / Luncheonettes, Pennsylvania
Eckels Ice Cream Fountain – A Vintage Sweet Spot in Mechanicsburg PA
View more Show on mapMod Betty has found a new old sweet spot to share, courtesy of ardent Retro Roadmapper and swell guy Craig N, who invited us to join him at Eckels Ice Cream Fountain in downtown Mechanicsburg, PA. Easily accessible from the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Eckels is a must-stop for readers who love authentic vintage charm - with a sprinkling of Hollywood [...]
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Pennsylvania, Regional Foods & Drinks, Sub Shop / Sandwiches
Retro Roadmap’s Cheesesteak Pick: Joe’s on Torresdale!
View more Show on mapWhenever we have out of town visitors we're often asked, "where should I go for the best Philly Cheesesteak?" and finally now I have a recommendation for the Retro Roadmap types - Joe's Steaks on Torresdale Ave. It's not centrally located, and parking can be a bit of a hassle since it's all street parking, but the old school style and tasty s [...]
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Ice Cream / Candy / Sweets, Pennsylvania
Edwards-Freeman Nuts and Candy Conshohocken, PA
View more Show on map2017 update: Mod Betty had to get some Easter Candy and of course stopped by Edwards Freeman - what an assortment! I was also happy to note that they're carrying even more items to line a gift basket with, from drink mixers to all sorts of Stonewall Kitchens items. Here are a few wide shots of the sheer volume of things to choose from! 2016 [...]
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Lunch Counters / Luncheonettes, Pennsylvania
Little Pete’s – Philly’s Little Eatery’s Days are Numbered
View more Show on mapMarch 2017 Update - according to Billy Penn, last day at Little Pete's is May 29, 2017. Get there now! Feb 2016 Post: Little Pete's is probably one of the "newest" places Mod Betty will have on Retro Roadmap (having opened in the late 1970s), but sadly it won't be here for long, as this teeny eatery anticipates being demolished and [...]
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Muffler Men / Roadside Giants, Pennsylvania
Giant Fez! Dallas, PA Photo Op Stop
View more Show on mapMod Betty was thinking of this big fez today when she was caught in a rainstorm - wouldn't an umbrella shaped like a giant fez be a hoot?! If you saw a giant fez on the side of the road, wouldn't YOU want to pull over and pose underneath it with your pal? If you have a fun pal like Mod Betty's friend Susan - renown carousel horse restorer, uk [...]
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Bowling, Pennsylvania
The LAST Remaining Duckpin Bowling Lane in Pennsylvania!
View more Show on map20128 UPDATE: Lanes are still here, no longer Gilly's now ROCKWELL LANES. I'm updating the contact info, let's go duckpin bowl! Original 2016 Post: UPDATE! Sadly I've been told the other Duckpin Lane in PA at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association are closed. Good news is that I now know about "Rubber Band" duckpins and there are a [...]
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Ice Cream / Candy / Sweets, Pennsylvania
Josh Early Candies – Allentown’s Fave Sweet Spot!
View more Show on mapJosh Early Candies is conveniently located just a few moments off of so many major roads in and near Allentown Pennsylvania - (Route 78, Route 476, Route 22, Route 309) that you simply have no excuse not to swing by this cheery colonial kitchen for homemade chocolates and sweet treats! The business has been in the Lehigh Valley since 1900, bu [...]
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Notable Buildings, Pennsylvania
Praise For Zig Zag Mid Century Cheer of Nu-Life Cleaners Hatboro PA
View more Show on mapWhen I saw the zigzag roofline and colorful diamond shaped sign at Nu-Life Cleaners in Hatboro, PA I knew I had to stop and snap a photo. Isn't this place the cutest? If I lived near here I'd bring all of my drycleaning there! AND I'd make sure to let them know that the reason I was bringing my business to them is because they kept thei [...]
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